Saltwater anglers finally may get a break following the state Senate vote to re peal New York’s fishing license.

Sen. Brian X. Foley (D-Blue Point) sponsored the legislation (S6250) that would create a registration system for recreational saltwater fishing which will track the name, address, date of birth and telephone number for each resident who wants to fish in New York’s marine waters.

The vote was 60-1 on Wednesday with one in abstention.

Each person who registers with the system will receive an identification number that is unique to him or her. Residents will be able to register for the system via the Internet or by phone. This new registry would take the place of the saltwater fishing license that was mandated as part of last year’s state budget.

“Today is a great day for recreational fishing in the State of New York,” Foley said following the Senate vote. “Residents should be able to partake in recreational saltwater fishing without being forced to purchase a license to do so. When this license was created, myself and my colleagues were assured the money collected would be used to benefit the fishermen who were purchasing the license.

“When that turned out not to be the case, I immediately introduced legislation to do away with the licensing requirement and create a system that will allow us to meet the federal guidelines without placing an undue burden on our recreational fishermen. I strongly urge the Assembly to pass this important piece of legislation so that it can be signed into law as soon as possible.”

An Assembly version of license repeal legislation (A09234) has currently stalled in the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.

“Until our state officials can promise New York anglers open access to coastal waters without continued closures to state parks, beaches and fishing seasons, then this license is nothing more than a tax without any returns,” said John Mantione of J&J Sports in Patchogue and spokesman for the New York Fishing Tackle Trades Association. Look at New Jersey, they have much more liberal fluke limits there and those fishermen aren’t paying any user fees to fish.”